AN IMPORTANT GEORGE III GILT METAL MOUNTED SATINWOOD CARLTON HOUSE DESK circa 1800

veneered in finely figured satinwood, with brass letter aperture at each side, the writing surface with leather panels and a rising reading slope supported on a ratchet, the back also inlaid with oval panels edged with ebony stringing, the original curved brass handles with flower heads tablets and flower heads and drapery back-plates, the locks stamped 'CHUBB'S PATENT' with the Royal arms and 120 QUEEN VICTORIA St. 1052031 'LONDON' and CHUBB LONDON within a fish.  One drawer with a printed label depicting a spurious coat of arms.

Christie's, New York, January 2001

See:

Furniture History - The Journal of The Furniture History Society Journal, Vol. XXXI. 1995, High Roberts, 'The First Carlton House Table?', pp. 124-128, figs. 1, 2, 3

Overall very good restored condition with a softly polished surface, later leather-lined writing surface, wear to brass handles, now with 19th century lockplates by Chubb, paper label with coat of arms with motto 'In coelo Quies' to interior of central frieze drawer, usual minor age cracks, patches and inpainting to veneers, overall with some old marks, scratches, scuffs and bruises consistent with age and use.
In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective qualified opinion.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

The first designs for tables of these form were published by George Hepplewhite in The Cabinet-Makers London Book of Prices, 1793, pl. 21, pp. 78-79, described as 'A Gentlemans Writing Table', and by Thomas Sheraton, The Cabinet-Maker and Upholsterer's Drawing Book (appendix), pl. 60, in which it is described a 'Ladys Drawing and Writing Table'. A manuscript design preserved in Gillows Cost books dated 1796 also shows this form, annotated a 'Carlton House Table', the first time that the name appears to be recorded in association with this type of furniture.

Carlton House, Pall Mall, London, was the residence of The Prince of Wales, who was given the house which had been inhabited by his mother until her death in 1773. In 1783  the Prince had instructed the architect Henry Holland to reconstruct the mansion, work continuing intermittently over some thirty years. The Royal Collection still retains a Carlton House desk, in rosewood with a flat superstructure, not stepped as in the present example. However, Hugh Roberts, in Furniture History, The Journal of the Furniture History Society, vol. XXXI, notes that the Prince of Wales's accounts, preserved in the Royal Archives, include an account from the cabinetmaker John Kerr dated February 5, 1790 for 'a large Elegant Sattin wood Writing Table containing 15 drawers and 2 cupboards Top Cover'd with Superfine Green Cloth to rise Occasionally the whole Varnish'd and Polish'd Compleat £20'. The table also had '16 Elegant Silver handles with Coronets raid'd on Centers 32 Silver Knobs as Drapry'.

This is almost certainly the desk illustrated and discussed by Geoffrey Wills in Apollo Magazine, and in Mallett's Great English Furniture, Lanto Synge, London, 1991, p. 138, fig. 155. This was thought to be a gift from the Prince of Wales to his acting Private Secretary Captain, later Admiral, John Payne for services he rendered in accompanying the Prince's future wife, Princess Caroline of Brunswick, to England in 1795, before the marriage. This table is supported on square tapered legs and has a round-backed superstructure with three drawers at the front, the silver handles being identical to those described in John Kerr's account. These are almost identical to those on the present lot, although these are in brass and lack the coronet, and both desks are veneered in the same fiddle-back figures satinwood.

Other related Carlton House tables which may be attributed to the same maker include one in satinwood exhibited by Messrs. A. Fredericks of London at 'The Third International Art Treasures Exhibition Presented by C. I. N. O. A.', The Victoria and Albert Museum, London, March 2 - April 29, 1996,  no. 113, illustrated in the catalogue, pl. 81, and another, in mahogany, is illustrated in 18^th Century English Furniture - The Norman Adams Collection, C. Claxton Stevens and S. Whittington, Woodbridge, 1983, p. 137, both of which are identical in profile to the present table.